If you're trying to plant a cutting, you can give your plants a headstart with a little rooting hormone, or a medicinal dip you add to the root to prevent disease and infection while your cutting is taking root. If you don't have any rooting hormone handy, a quick dip in a little cinnamon will do the trick just as nicely, according to the folks at All Things Plants.

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Whether or not the antibacterial properties pertain specifically to real cinnamon or cassia (what's usually in the bottle when you buy cinnamon at most grocery stores) is up in the air, but the community at All Things Plants seems to vouch for the tip. Just a quick dip in the powder will serve to protect your cutting while it begins to take root. Horseshoe, the tipster who posted the suggestion, is careful to note that it doesn't actually stimulate the rooting process, it just protects the cutting from fungal infection while it's growing.

So when you're prepping your garden or planting a cutting here or there, keep a little cinnamon on hand to dip the cutting in before planting—your plants will thank you. Is this old hat to you pro gardeners? Any additional tips to share for those of us getting back into the garden? Let us know in the comments.